Giants: Eli set to go against Ravens

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants quarterback Eli Manning has a new helmet and is ready to play.

The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants quarterback Eli Manning has a new helmet and is ready to play.

Manning practiced with a helmet on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a three-inch cut on the left side of his forehead in a preseason game against the Jets, declaring himself ready for Saturday's contest in Baltimore.

"It felt fine," Manning said of the new helmet. "There were no issues. I had a normal day of practice, no pain, no discomfort. So I am ready to go as usual."

The Giants' medical staff found no signs of a concussion after Manning's helmet came off when Jets linebacker Calvin Pace slammed the quarterback's head into another player on Aug. 16. He needed 12 stitches to close the cut.

Manning said there is nothing special about his new helmet other than the chin strap and the buttons, which are placed higher so the helmet stays on better. He's wearing a bandage to cover the wound and help prevent the helmet from irritating the scar when he puts it on and takes it off.

Manning hopes to play at least a half in the penultimate preseason game, which is normal for the starters. He doesn't think he'll have to alter his playing time in the final preseason game against the Patriots because he missed last weekend's game against Pittsburgh.

"I don't think we will play any more than we usually do," Manning said of starters, who generally play a series or two in the final preseason game.

Manning plans to use the new helmet for a couple of weeks. If he likes it, he'll stay with it. If he doesn't, he'll go back to his old helmet, provided that his cut is healed.